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Rosario Town, Cavite Province, Region IV, Philippines
Rosario was established as a town in 1845. It was formerly a barrio of San Francisco de malabon, now known as general trias. In 1846, it was separated and made as an independent town with the official name of Rosario, in honor of Nuestra Seņora del Rosario.
During the Spanish regime, this place was known as Salinas-Marcella; Salinas is derived from the Spanish word "sal" which means salt, because of the abundance of salt produced during that period. Marcella was taken from the Spanish term "mar" meaning sea, on account of the nearness of the municipality to Manila Bay.
Info gathered from this URL and says its:
SOURCE: THE KABITENYO MAGAZINE (Independence Day issue), Issue 6, June 13, 1998 from The History and Cultural Life of Cavite Province, MEC, Division of Cavite and Cavite Provincial Government, 1981
History
In 1845, Rosario (Salinas Marcella) was the second smallest town. Now, it is the "biggest" town in the province of Cavite.
Geographically, Rosario is bounded in the north-northeast by Noveleta, in the South by Tanza and in the west-southwest by Manila Bay.It lies 30 kms south of Manila, 20 kms north of the provincial capital Trece Martirez City and 17 kms south-southwest of Cavite City. It is accessible by land and water(sea) trannsportation.
The second smallest town in Cavite Province..Rosario has now emerged into the "biggest"in terms of it's land area nor ti's per capita income but because of the great transitions that occurred with the town's political, social, cultural and economic developments since 1845.
Rosario was originally a part of San Francisco de Malabon(now Gen. Trias) and it was called "Tejero"by the Spaniards. The name "Tejero" may have originated from the Spanish word"Tejer"(to weave)because weaving fish nets was the main occupation of the womenfolks to compliment the needs of the fishing industry of the village. (Source: Buzeta, Manuel, and Manuel Bravo, Dictionario Geografica Estadistico Historico de las Islas Madreid 1850, Vol. ll p. 415) The town was also known as "Salinas"( derived from the Spanish word sal or salt) because salt making is another important industry of the town. The place was likewise ..formeerly called "Marcella" or "Marcelles" due to its proximity to the sea-"Mar" in Spanish. (Source: Memoirs of Gen. Ricarte, p. 4)
The name "Rosario" was brought about by the religious version of naming the town. There were three versions:
The first version says, the image of the Madonna and the Child was one day found floating on the water by a group of yougsters playing along the seashore. The kids played with the imagae, using it as a toy and afterwards they would hide it in the bushes near the sea. But every time they came back they saw the image already floating leisurely on the water, as it waiting for them. They thought it strange,but could not explain how the image got back to the water.
Not long afterwards their elders learned about the imaage, and they took it to an empty nipashack thus began the public adorataion of the Madonna and Child. The hut was soo transformed into a place of worship News of the miraculous happenings attributed to the image spread around. So great was the religious fervor stirred by the image among the people that they decided to adopt it as the patron saint of the town and changed the name SALINAS MARCELLA to ROSARIO.
The second version it slightly different from the first. The image of the Madonna and Child was found on a big "tamarind" tree. The people decided to construct a small chapel and install the image on the altar, thereafter holding an annual feast in honor ofNuestra Senora del Rosario every first Sunday of October (Source: Medina's M.A. Thesis, p.ixx)
The third version was researched by Rev. Fr. Virgilio Saenza Mendoza. It stated that during the Spanish regime, one of the best means of transportation was by boat. It stated that during the Spanish regime, one of the best means of transportation was by boat. Cargoes from the south were brought to Manila by big boats. It was also a familiar scene to see a great number of "batel"(fishing boats) in the waters of Manila Bay. Many years ago in a date which remained unremembered, a strong typhoon visited Manila. It caused great destruction of life and properties especially to those who lived along the coastal area of Manila Bay. Countless fishermen as well as merchants werecaught by the turbulent wind in the midst of the sea.One of these boats coming from Mindoro was loaded with merchandise, was hit by furious wind and terrifying lashes of rain. The cresmen of the boat filled with terror as death approaches tied themselves to the boat to assure themselves that they won't get lost. The head of the crew went inside the cabin to check whatever goods they could save. As he moved around, he noticed a framed image of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary hanging on a post. The sight of the image gave him a little light of hope for safety. He begged the Virgin to spare his life and that of his companions with the promise that they would build a chapel in her honor as soon as they land on the shore.
As the plausible legend was told by one of the most respected couple of Rosario, Don Catalino Abueg and Dona Rosa Ner, the virgin heard the plea of the merchants and they were found along the shore of "Mojon"presently called "Muzon".
True to their words, the merchants built a makeshift chapel made of bamboos and lumber used for the altar of the virgin was from their very own boat. The chapel was built on a ground which was said to belong to a certain Teniente Felix Suasa. The image was entrusted by the crewmen to the people of the place. Hence, from Muzon, the shrine was transferred to the present site of our parish church.
To date, the names of the town is remembered from all the names given to it. Marcella exists as one of the national roads of the town. Salinas is associated with the finest and famous smoked fish (Tinapang Salinas) produced in town and Rosario as an agro-industrialized fishing village along the coastlines of Manila Bay, occupied by productive, peace-loving and God-fearing peoplewho devotedly venerate the Nuestra Seniora del Rosario as their patron saint.
After 150 years, there are so many thingss we have to be thankful for the evolution of Rosarion from a "small" town to a "big"one as evidenced by historically, there is the Tejeros Convenmtion of 1897 and the revolutionary heoes we can be proud of. The National Historical Commission recognized the significance of the event in the history of our country, by way of developing the site ro restore its physical and historical features. This is in preparation for the centennial celebration of the Philippine Independence which is celebrated this year.
Culturally we have a Rosario hymn, Municipal Choir and a cultural group we can call our very own.
Socially, the human resources of Rosario are being developed and utilized to the maximum towards a collective effort for peace and prosperity of th4 town and the populace. The said aspirations are only achieveable thru a sommon thrust and plan of actions of municipal officials, schools, church and religious organization, community associations (local and abroad) are vital to bring about "big" changes in Rosario, such as what is now in the offing.
Politically, a lot of innovations and "conscientization" are in the process to cause positive effects. Voters education programs are conducted to develop politcally matured electorate .
Geographically, the former land area of the town has grown bigger now. This attributed to some reclaimed areas , both natural and/or man made, along the shoreline of the town.
Economically, with the coming in of more investors of CEPZ with existence of the Rosario Fish Port, with the birth of young Rosarians entrepreneurs, with the boosting of the cooperative movement for more livelihood projects for the economically handicapped and the construction of more banks and other commercial establishment, Rosario is towards a more certain economic stability.
Spiritually, with the active spiritual renewal that is going on in town and the recent coronation of Nuestra Seniora del Rosario and with the outreach program of the church and lay ministers in the depressed area particularly and the workers at CEPZ, the most important aspect of a human personality- his spirituality, is also properly addressed.
However, the truth of the matter is, it is a fact that there are still a lot to be done for a better Rosario and Rosarians. Therefore, if we are all convinced that there are remakable developments from 1845 which brought about significant economic prosperity, peace, happinesand our human recources are more cultured , socially and politically aware, leading a Christian way of life, civic spirited and concerned citizens -- then we can say that the former "small" town of Rosario is now a "big" -- if not the biggest -- municipality in Cavite.
Source of info which can be found in this URL, says that this is an:
- Excerpted
from the Souvenir Program
of the 37th Salinas Anniversary of San Diego,
California,
May 24, 1998.)
